J.D. Walton Will Miss Start Of Season After Another Surgery

DENVER (CBS4) – A week ago J.D. Walton appeared well on the road to recovery from surgery on his left ankle, but he had another surgery on Monday, and now the Broncos will start the season without their starting center.

Walton missed most of last season with a dislocated ankle, and that ankle is still giving him problems.

On Monday doctors replaced some of the screws they had placed in there.

If his rehab goes as planned Walton could be back on the practice field as early as October. That’s a big if, though.

If the ankle doesn’t respond to the surgical procedure he could miss the entire season.

The Broncos currently have Manny Ramirez playing center, and the team doesn’t believe the sky is falling, according to CBS4’s Gary Miller.

“These are cards we’re dealt,” said fellow offensive lineman Zane Beadles, referring to Walton’s injury and the injury to lineman Chris Kuper. “I have all the confidence in the world in all the guys in our room to get the job done.”

The Broncos could bring back veteran Dan Koppen to add depth to the offensive line in the interim.